Do You Need a Second Opinion?

A new diagnosis or treatment plan can feel overwhelming and confusing.

If you’ve been told you have cancer or need surgery, you likely have questions. Our experts say you shouldn't hesitate to get a second opinion.

“We’re not going to get mad at a patient for asking for a second opinion,” says Hematologist Frederick Lansigan, MD, of Dartmouth Cancer Center. “The more information patients have, the better off everyone is. That additional knowledge is actually very helpful.”

How do you get a second opinion?

The first step you can take to get a second opinion is asking your current doctor for a referral. You will also want to check with your health insurance provider to determine whether it will be covered.

You’ll find that many doctors, including pediatricians and cancer specialists, often coordinate with other hospitals and providers to help facilitate and expedite second opinion requests.

“It's your right to ask for a second opinion, and you should feel comfortable requesting one,” says Lansigan, who sees many patients with rare cancers. “Our administrative staff will work to get the appointment in place and the consulting institution will need to do insurance confirmations, especially if you’re going out of state.”

Why should you get a second opinion?

There are various reasons why a second opinion makes sense, including:

• Your diagnosis isn’t clear
• You have a life-threatening or rare condition
• You have several different medical conditions
• The treatment offered is experimental
• You’re not responding to treatment
• You feel like you can’t talk to your current doctor
• Your doctor doesn't specialize in your condition.

How long does it take to get a second opinion appointment?

The timeframe for getting a second opinion appointment varies based on the diagnosis and the patient. Doctors typically act quickly to coordinate a referral for a second opinion in potentially life-threatening situations, and the same goes for pediatric patients.

"There's always more urgency in pediatrics," says Pediatrician Gerri Rubin, MD, of Dartmouth Health's Cheshire Medical Center. "An older person with an abnormal CT scan might need to wait eight weeks for a second opinion. But nobody's going to wait two months for their child."

Rubin says that pediatric specialty care at Dartmouth Health is robust and widely available, so kids typically don't need to travel to large urban centers for care.

Patients can request a second opinion for a variety of common pediatric problems managed in local primary care pediatrics, like headaches, abdominal pain, asthma and eczema, to clarify a diagnosis and treatment plan.

"But it's helpful for patients to know that the world of pediatric specialists is small and many of them trained together. Families can feel confident there is a high degree of collaboration," Rubin says. "Second opinions can also be sought from larger children's hospitals, like Boston Children's Hospital, for things like cancer care or heart conditions, where there is even further specialty expertise available."

What motivates a patient to get a second opinion?

• Patients seek second opinions for more information, treatment options or reassurance
• Among patients with general medical concerns, between 52% and 61% of patients seeking a second opinion were female
• Some patients were encouraged by family members or friends to seek a second opinion, or were recommended to a certain doctor by family or friends.

“With so much information accessible, patients are savvier than ever,” Lansigan says. “Patients read a lot and do their own research. They might ask their doctor questions like, ‘I read so-and-so does this,’ or ‘This person is an expert over at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Should I go to them for another opinion?’ And we encourage patients to do so if that’s what they want.”

How can you advocate for yourself?

Pursuing a second opinion can empower you and help you regain control over your healthcare decisions. Experts emphasize that speaking up and advocating for yourself can be especially important after a daunting diagnosis.

“If I had a condition that would affect my quality or quantity of life significantly, I would want a second opinion,” says Family Medicine Physician Pineal T. Bekere, MD, of Dartmouth Health’s New London Hospital.

She encourages patients to ask questions, seek more information and request resources, even if the diagnosis isn't life-threatening.

"I'm all about empowering patients," Bekere adds. "Patients should advocate for themselves and ask many questions about their condition, overall health, medication and treatment plans. I believe that communication, trust and mutual respect between providers and patients are really essential to better care."